NINEPENNY CABLES.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 567, 23 July 1909, Page 5

NINEPENNY CABLES.

BY BOTH ROUTES, _ FAIR SUPPORT ASKED FOR PACIFIC. POSITION IN AUSTRALIA. (By Tclcgraph.-l'rcsß Aasoclallon.-OowrlKhU 1 Me|bourno, July 22. Tho Postmastor-Genor'ai (Sir "John Quick) has received a reply from tho Pacific Cable Board, agicoing to a reduction of tile rate for press cablegrams from o~nb 'shilling' to niiiepcnco pis woid, ns from August 1. Tho request of tho Eastern Extension Company that Uio Commonwealth grant tho company a reduction in land charges similar to that granted to tho Pacific Cable Board will bo. agreed to. Concessions aro Due to' State-owned Lino. Referring to the reduction, Iho Postmas-ter-General said it would bo base .ingratitude if tho newspapers do not now' support' tio Pacific hue. Hod it not been for the Pacific cable, tho users would not havo the concessions they now enjoy.' Surely tho Pacifio lino must get sonic of the increased business which must como from; the if not, whero was trrt. encouragement for the Pacific Cable Boaid to make further concessions ' He did not think tlio claims of tho Parcfic cable on tho public support had been adequately recognised, seeing that tho annual deficiency was so groat. Sir John added: "Wo do not wish to unduly compete with other oablos, or in any way to unduly press the chums,of tho Pacific, hut we corbiinly want a fair share of business for itho Pacific Wo aro entitled to this from a patriotic standpoint." ' Press Association Non-Commlttal. 'The Postmaster-Genoral states that before agreeing to the cable concessions he communicated with tho rcpresftntati es ofi the Australian Press Association, and brought under their attention the proposal. 110 expressed a hope that if concessions vrero granted ami tho press cable rates reduced, tho Pacific cable would have a share in Wio increased business No bargain wns made, said Sir John Quirk, nor ony explicit assurance given on the subject; it was merely stated that if the reduction was made the As&fpiat'on would of course lme to cons'der whether it would bo able-to use the Pacific oable to advantage.

Tho old T\nrd rates for cablegrams be (ween Britain and oversea dominions are as under — s d Ucanda 2 9 Rinpipoio 14 Oold Coast ... . 1 21 S Tfliodnsia 1 H N Tthodcsia . in Ce\> n 10} South Africa . . .10 Australia ... 10 New Zealand ...' . ~i f0; Tndia . . 10 ttjypr 0 6 Canada . - , 0 5